Apple Inc. is facing claims that it’s infringing patented mobile wallet technology.
Apple has been sued by Texas company Fintiv, who describe themselves as a “new company created by experienced hands.” They are claiming Apple Pay infringes upon an acquired Korean patent that Fintiv owns.
Though touting “over 20 years experience”, Fintiv was founded in 2018 and employs somewhere between 11-50 staff members in the mobile payments and marketing industry.
Mobile payment company Fintiv Inc. alleged that Apple infringed U.S. Patent No. 8,843,125, which describes a method for managing virtual credit, gift, loyalty, and other cards on a mobile device.
Apple’s iPhone models, Apple Watch devices, and the Apple Wallet app directly infringe the patent, Fintiv alleged in a complaint filed Dec. 21 in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas.
Fintiv also said Apple encouraged its partners and service providers to use the allegedly infringing products.
An Apple spokesperson didn’t immediately respond to a Bloomberg Law request for comment. Mann Tindel & Thompson is representing Fintiv.
The case is Fintiv Inc. v. Apple Inc., W.D. Tex., No. 6:18-cv-00372, complaint filed 12/21/18.
Source: bloomberg